Djor-dropping Djokovic trumps fleet of hot prospects in refreshing Aussie Open

Whilst researching for my last blog post on future tennis wonderkids (which is being printed for the Feb issue of Nerve* Magazine as I write this), it's made me appreciate the sport tenfold over. During a trip to London to catch up on what's going on at home this weekend I also managed to fit in a singles' match at my local tennis club, which I won 7-6 7-6.

When writing up the article, and consquently following each qualifying player's progress at the Australian Open this year, I was almost-grossly interested in the tournament. Furtermore, while playing a match during the women's Final, all I could think about was whether or not Kim Clijsters succeeded in her quest for another grand slam win.

Not only did I focus on the players I wrote about however - including the impressive Richard Berankis this year - but also I cast my eye very much over the whole field.

The constant impressive performances coming, in particular, from Novak Djokovic's matches left me thinking by only the second round that he would be a seriously obstacle for any title-hopers. For a while I've thought Roger Federer's days are numbered - he's lost his No.1 status courtesy of Rafael Nadal's monsterous form year in year out - and his lacklustre performance against Djokovic in the semis confirmed this. The Serbian had "FedEx" running wild during the match, until he left the court dejected and unfulfilled.

Fair enough, not many people could knock world No.1 Nadal's progress this year, and if it weren't for a niggling groin injury in his quarter-final match, there can only be few doubters in thinking he would have trouble overcome fellow Spaniard David Ferrer during the quarters.

However, Murray aside, there was an increasing feeling of hope from within that Djokovic is an extremely worthy winner of the first Grand Slam of 2011.

His play has continously earned him just accolades from punters, commentators and fans. Hardly putting a foot wrong, the Serbian dropped just one set going into the final - a feat he continued to hold during his straight-sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 demolition of British icon Andy Murray. If anyone deserved the title, it would be Djokovic.

With Federer and Nadal out of the running after the semi-final stage, the Australian Open final between Djokovic and Murray was a breath of fresh air. The triumph of Djokovic all but confirmed the Serb is biting on the heels of Federer for the coveted No.2 spot - a statement of intent that will no doubt have Federer's ears pricked.

What was also refreshing during the Open was the amount of fresh talent on show. The inclusion of Ukranian Alexandr Dolgopolov, ranked 46 before the tournament, caused upset in his battling quest up until the quarter-finals by beating Jo-Wilfred Songa and Robin Soderling on his way, whilst Canadian Milos Raonic narrowly missed out on his place in the quarters during a 4-setter defeat to the hands of Ferrer.

Though contested in the end by two well-known tennis stars, the Australian Open conjoured up a host of refreshingly surprising results - and if 2011 is to carry on as it left off, the year could definietely be one to already start getting quite excited about indeed.

One's To Watch - Pick of the best youngsters on the 2011 ATP/WTA Circuits

At the age of 20, legend Boris Becker clinched his first Grand Slam. A 19-year-old Rafael Nadal claimed his whilst, younger still, Martina Hingis stepped up to the plate at just 16.

Thanks to high-profile success in tennis, 23-year-old Andy Murray has fast-became a household name whilst, if potential is anything to go by, compatriot Laura Robson, 17, won’t be far behind. With an increasing talent-base, a new generation of tennis players are slowly nudging the ‘golden oldies’ into retirement. There is an increasing amount of ‘shock’ results in tennis these days - not because of form, but quality.

However, with the huge step-up from the junior to senior ATP stage, it is often hard for a teen to break through. Few stars have shone – just look at fellow World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki – yet far too many have stumbled in the midst of breaking through to phenomenal heights.

Though shrouded, there is far more to junior tennis than meets the eye; the potential is scarily-huge, with world-beaters just moments from being released to the world. Already, on top of a bustling WTA ranking sits a 20-year-old Wozniacki – but can others emulate her success?

As the 2011 season begins, Nerve* Sport has served up a small dish of up-and-coming stars to look out for on the ATP/WTA circuit.

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL): Not many 19-year-olds can boast six Challenger trophies in a single year, besides Dimitrov. Though showing patchy form during Grand Slam qualifiers, the Bulgarian’s talent has been likened to that of Nadal – a man who Dimitrov forced into three sets during the ATP Masters in Rotterdam in 2009. Brimming with confidence and a lethal backhand, he is surely only moments from hitting it big.

Ryan Harrison (USA): Typically-teenage temper tantrums aside, Harrison’s performances last year at the US Open raised eyebrows, impressively taking Sergiy Stakhovsky to the brink of destruction after dumping Ivan Ljubicic out in the first round of the tournament. Not yet a world-beater, but given time, surely one for the future – and with Roddick-esque serving and Blake-esque hard-hitting baseline play, a sure-fire winner for those Yanks.

Bernard Tomic (AUS): Bags of talent, yet an arrogant streak means Tomic has faultered in the media already - turning down a knock-up with Aussie ace Lleyton Hewitt was probably not the best career move. However, the 18-year-old’s agility, perseverance and 6’4” frame echoes culls of a younger Juan Martin del Potro.

Ricardas Berankis (LIT): At 20, the former World Junior No.1 and Orange Bowl winner is already knocking at the door of the world’s best – and already boasts the ability of most. The Lithuanian hotshot has already had Grand Slam experience at Wimbledon prior to this year’s Australian Open, and has caused problems for Fernando Verdasco and Jurgen Meltzer in high-profile match-ups. Boasting a ferocious serve, good footwork, and a ground-game of champions, Berankis is within reaching distance of a major trophy – and if he shows good enough form, may well cause many an upset on the way.

Simona Halep (ROM): After winning the Junior Roland Garros title in 2008, Halep’s success has been limited after a string of unfortunate match-ups in majors – losing to Sam Stosur after experiencing the same fate at the hands of Jelena Jankovic. The 19-year-old’s adaptability on court, agililty, and fierce backhand could spell fame for Halep, though still lacking that killer instinct.

Lauren Davis (USA): Triumph at the end of 2010 has put the 17-year-old on the map, winning the Orange Bowl and several Challenger tournament during a 27-match win streak - yet proved easy pickings for Sam Stosur in the first round of this year’s Australian Open. A lethal forehand, the baseliner has shown real potential, and could be one to watch in the coming years.

Tennis fan or not, it takes little knowledge to realise that - for the foreseeable future at least - the final of any of the sport’s four Grand Slam trophies will end up in the clutches of one of three men’s hands – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or, patriotically, Andy Murray. Yet the rise in prodigious talent is soon to explode – and rightly so.